IF a work colleague wins an industrial Tribunal and is paid compensation plus protection for life, does the ruling apply to other work colleagues in the same position? Or do they have to take the employer to a separate tribunal? There are 24 people in the same position.

They all have to take their own proceedings, but if the circumstances are more or less identical then the employer is likely to back down and do a deal rather than fight all the way knowing they will lose.

TWO years ago my husband walked out and left me with all the outstanding bills mortgage credit cards etc. I am aware that due to me being the main card holder I am liable to pay the cards off which I am doing so. What I am not sure about is the mortgage which is in joint names. If I file for divorce can I claim back all the mortgage payments I have had to pay on his behalf in a settlement. My sister thinks it doesn't matter who pays he may be entitled to the full settlement which I do not think would be fair as I have had to pay his half of the mortgage.

Actually your ex may be due half or a share of the credit card bills if the expenditure was for domestic purposes. Yes you are solely liable to the credit card so but he may be due to reimburse you partly. Re the mortgage, it is likely that he is due half the net value of the house and obliged to contribute to ongoing mortgage payments until an overall deal is done between you. You almost certainly can’t claim back past mortgage payments before separation, but you should see a lawyer to work out a comprehensive separation agreement that takes all expenditure into account since the split.

I INADVERTENTLY opened a letter from a finance company demanding payment of a debt. The letter was addressed to someone I do not know but it was my address on the letter. I wrote to the company, enclosing the letter and explained that I had lived at this address for more than twenty years and did not know the person to whom they addressed the letter. Since then I have received two further letters addressed to this person. I have marked them return to sender and put them in a post box.

What I should do if I receive another letter?

Keep on doing that. Might also be worth checking with one of the usual credit reference agencies and if they have any inaccurate info on you or your property, you can insist they change it.

My ex-husband says that he can stop paying maintenance for our daughter when she turns eighteen this year. she is now at university full time from September . I was under the impression that he would need to continue to contribute while our daughter is in full time further education.

Yes, you’re right, ex is wrong - the obligation remains up to the age of 25 in these circumstances.